led to his knees, and at
length stood. There was something of rude river chivalry about him,
after all.

"An officer, did ye say?" said he. "Oh, wirra! What have I done now,
and me a soldier! But ye done it fair! And ye niver wance gouged me
nor jumped on me whin I was down! Begorrah, I felt both me eyes to see
if they was in! Ye done it fair, and ye're an officer and a gintleman,
whoever ye be. I'd like to shake hands with ye!"

"I am not shaking hands with ruffians who insult travelers," Captain
Lewis sternly rejoined; but he saw the crestfallen look which swept
over the strong face of the other. "There, man," said he, "since you
seem to mean well!"

He shook hands with his opponent, who, stung by the rebuke, now began
to sniffle.

"Sor," said he, "I am no ruffian. I am a soldier meself, and on me way
to join me company at Kaskasky, down below. Me time was out awhile
back, and I came East to the States to have a bit av a fling before I
enlisted again. Now, what money I haven't give to me parents I've
spint like a man. I have had me fling for awhile, and I'm goin' back
to sign on again. Sor, I am a sergeant and a good wan, though I do say
it. Me record is clean. I am Patrick Gass, first sergeant of the Tinth
Dragoons, the same now stationed at Kaskasky. Though ye are not in
uniform, I know well enough ye are an officer. Sor, I ask yer
pardon--'twas only the whisky made me feel sportin' like at the time,
do ye mind?"

"Gass, Patrick Gass, you said?"

"Yis, sor, of the Tinth. Barrin' me love for fightin' I am a good
soldier. There are stripes on me sleeves be rights, but me old coat's
hangin' in the barracks down below."

Lewis stood looking curiously at the man before him, the power of
whose grip he had felt in his own. He cast an eye over his erect
figure, his easy and natural dropping into the position of a soldier.

"You say the Tenth?" said he briefly. "You have been with the colors?
Look here, my man, do you want to serve?"

"I am going right back to Kaskasky for it, sor."

"Why not enlist with us? I need men. We are off for the West, up the
Missouri--for a long trip, like enough. You seem a well-built man, and
you have seen service. I know men when I see them. I want men of
courage and good temper. Will you go?"

"I could not say, sor. I would have to ask leave at Kaskasky. I gave
me word I'd come back after I'd had me fling here in the East, ye
see."

"I'll take care of that. I have full authorit